Dallas Mavericks Blog

Active Dalembert helps Nowitzki get rest, Mavericks get a win

Samuel Dalembert gave the Dallas Mavericks one of his best efforts of the season Monday night, which seemed trigger what was not only a good offensive night, but also their best rebounding night (plus-14) since beating the LA Lakers by 15 on the boards in the fourth game of the season.

Dalembert had 18 points and eight rebounds and helped fuel a 124-107 win over Cleveland at AAC.

“He’s proven that he can take us to a higher level,” coach Rick Carlisle said of Dalembert. “Down the stretch, he was a presence at both ends. We just have to keep reinforcing with him the things that we need him to do. He’s big heading into the next game. Because they have a lot of big, strong guys.”

“They” would be the Memphis Grizzlies, one of several teams locked in a tight race with the Mavericks in the chase for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.

If the Mavericks keep the same focus on the rebounding as they did against the Cavaliers, their chances against the Grizzlies will go up markedly.

The Mavericks matched the physical nature of the Cavaliers with Dalembert and Brandan Wright teaming to combine for 32 points and 15 rebounds.

“Obviously, he’s not going to get 18 and 8 every night, but we love him active,” said Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Mavericks with 23 points. “If he goes after shots and contests shots and rebounds and gets some tip-outs and finishes around the rim, we’re a different team. He knows that.”

Dalembert and Wright were so effective down the stretch that Nowitzki didn’t have to play in the game’s final 6:53.

“That’s like a gift, it really is,” Nowitzki said. “The longer you sit, the more stiff I get, so that was awesome (not to have to return). The guys did a good job closing it out. So that was fantastic.”

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